The Official Wolves vs Grizzlies Series Thread

[winforlose]

I still cannot find pace stats for game 1. Very curious to see how the teams performance compares to their average. We kept having late clock shots which work against pace, but we also had some bang bang plays and quick possessions. Really curious to see the numbers.

https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced/?sort=PACE&dir=-1&Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Playoffs
Wolves-Grizzlies has been the game with highest pace so far in this playoffs

Thank you very much. I have been looking for a while and not found it. This proves what I said before the game. We were averaging 101.47 they were averaging 100.52 for #1 and #4 respectively. I said a key to the game would be to speed them up (not easy when we already play with a high pace.) The pace average in this game was 105.00 which means we managed to speed them up. We were the #1 and #2 scoring teams respectively. We managed to score 130 while holding them to 117. Some of that was rust from not playing for a week, but I believe some of it was pace knocking them out of rhythm.

Edit to add: Others said we had to rebound well. I didn’t think we would out rebound them, much less by 11, but that was also a big factor. I tip my hat to all those people as well.

[Dalvin]

Fo' Fo' Fo' Fo'

[TheZachAttack]

I'm not sure where to post this but Edwards progression during this playoff run plus the play-in has been amazing. He really has been the only player on the team that has shown up in every game and taken over two different games as well. I did not expect Edwards to ever be this level of defensive player let alone already. He makes mistakes but he's really engaged and has multiple defensive plays he blows up every game because of his athleticism.
_________________________________________
37.5mpg
26ppg
5 rbds
3 asts
2.1 stocks
3 TOs
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55.3% 2pt FG (7.5 atts per game)
43% 3pt FG (10 att per game)
86% FT (5.6 att per game)
_________________________________________

Edwards hasn't consistently asserted himself like he did in the play-in or game 1. It is great to see how consistently efficient tha tAnt has been able to be. If anything I think the Wolves could benefit in game 5 by running offense through Edwards to try to collapse the paint and play Towns/D Lo off of him as shooters. Towns & D Lo really struggle to get through clogged paints all the way to the rim. Edwards can whenever he really wants to. You would have to try to get Ant to buy in to be really aggressive because he could generate a bunch of FT.

I think I could leave this playoff series with my hope intact and enough positive attitude to remain building with this core if we can get a 40 point Ant game where he takes over and wins the game.

[TheZachAttack]

The other thing is I would love if we could figure out ways to consistently run action that involve KAT shooting jump shots moving with the ball and around screens. He should be able to get open against other bigs and even wings who are guarding him will have trouble getting to him in a way that impacts the shot.

Towns reminded us today that he is the best shooting big man in the NBA. I would rather win or lose a pivotal game 5 betting that Towns can make more jump shots than the Grizzlies can. I feel like we could do this pretty purposefully to make sure KAT stays in a rhythm and productizely engaged.

I feel like KAT starts to spiral if he's not able to impact the game early and then it builds from there because he tries to play with more and more energy to impact the game.

[KGdaBom]

New 3 game series.

[TheZachAttack]

I am trying to think about what I am most worried about in the Best of 3. I am not really worried about Memphis’s home court. I’m not really worried about Morant either although I understand he will get his points. I think as long as refs are any better than Game 1 and we can continue to hustle back in transition and slow that down we’re fine. I’m also not that worried about JJJ. He plays himself off the floor like Towns and ultimate is something we can play through.

I am a little bit worried about Bane & Brooks getting really hot and hitting 50%+ from 3 on big time volume. However, what concerns me most is how we make sure we remain in control of our emotions and don’t spiral into reacting emotionally and not able to stay on the floor. Towns got it together on the surface today and didn’t gloat about in the post game either. That’s a good start. I think if Towns can stay focused on what he can control and continue to make decisive and quick decisions while avoiding the dumb fouls we’re in a good spot.

I am also worried about D Lo. It could that Memphis isn’t s great matchup for him in the half court offensively. The D Lo I remember when he joined the Wolves may have not been able to get to the rim but he could play at his own pace and get to his spots at the elbow or get off 3 point shots at will. I’m not really even sure he can consistently beat his defender right now or get shots off.

I’m willing to accept that this is a down shooting year for D Lo and it’s probably likely he will be back to his averages next year. I also love his ability to organize the team and slow things down and make sure we don’t panic as well as create baskets with creative finds cross court.

D Lo’s inability off the dribble to create seperation is making him a huge liability in the half court. It would be one thing if D Lo was able to still get to his midrange spots at will or create space around the perimeter to hit shots at a 36-37+%. He cannot do either of those things right now. I have never seen him throw up so many prayer shots from no man’s land or lose the ball because he just can’t move around.

There is a time and a place but I really think the Wolves starting group should run halfcourtnoffense through Ant and/or KAT. Ant will help our half court offense in a huge way by actually being able to force a defensive to collapse and opening up other space as a result.

I still do think D Lo can hit perimeter shots especially big shots and especially catch and shoot. I would much rather have D Lo bring the ball up and then to initiate the action that involves some combo of Ant, KAT, or both. D Lo can attempt to create his own shot with the bench unit if he wants. In addition, if the clock is winding down go for it. He hasn’t gotten hate because of KAT but this might be the worst cumulative 4 game stretch he’s played.

[IceManBK1]

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We need to run some elevator screens for dlo..i think kerr ran that for him when he was on the warriors; and it was successful. dlo can't be standing around and let dillon brooks lock him down so easily. he needs to cut to the basket. run around and get freed with screens. or even post up on smaller players like morant, bane when he gets a chance.

[minimus]

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We need to run some elevator screens for dlo..i think kerr ran that for him when he was on the warriors; and it was successful. dlo can't be standing around and let dillon brooks lock him down so easily. he needs to cut to the basket. run around and get freed with screens. or even post up on smaller players like morant, bane when he gets a chance.

DLo is not on the same level as C&S shooter as Klay or Curry

[KGdaBom]

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We need to run some elevator screens for dlo..i think kerr ran that for him when he was on the warriors; and it was successful. dlo can't be standing around and let dillon brooks lock him down so easily. he needs to cut to the basket. run around and get freed with screens. or even post up on smaller players like morant, bane when he gets a chance.

DLo is not on the same level as C&S shooter as Klay or Curry

He isn't, but we still need to have faith that he can make shots or we don't have him on the court. I have faith.

[bluethunder0005]

Anyone else find it hilarious that for the first time in the series MIN got to the FT line more and MEMs coach and players want to complain about the reffing? KAT is basically in foul trouble every game from jump and Finch hasn't said a word. I know KATs offensive fouls are usually pretty obvious but he also never gets his fair share of FT attempts for how he's defended on the court.

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

Anyone else find it hilarious that for the first time in the series MIN got to the FT line more and MEMs coach and players want to complain about the reffing? KAT is basically in foul trouble every game from jump and Finch hasn't said a word. I know KATs offensive fouls are usually pretty obvious but he also never gets his fair share of FT attempts for how he's defended on the court.

I hope they play Brooks’ and Jennings’ pressers the entire flight back to Memphis. Not a good look especially when like you’re said, this is the first of 4 MN shot more free throws.


He didn’t mention a peep about arrogant reffing in game 1 while Ja shot 20 Fts himself. F these losers. I was on the old “small market” bandwagon shall they advance. Now I hope if we don’t beat them, the warriors mop the floor with them.

Out of 16 quarters so far, I’d say we’ve won 10 of them and lost 5 and tied 1(G2Q1)

Mound of pressure on Memphis to win game 5. Don’t be afraid.

[TheZachAttack]

Pressure is all on the Grizzlies. Wolves should come in confident having already beat them at home. I certainly would not be scared if I were the Wolves as they’ve essentially controlled 3 out of the 4 games for the majority or all of those games and forced Memphis to have to continue to make mammoth comebacks and come from behind. If I were in the Wolves locker room my mindset would be that there is a realistic argument that the Wolves have controlled about 90% of those 3-4 games and that the Wolves inability to control their emotions and getting caught up in fouls and other non-sense are the largest threat.

The Wolves are the better offensive team at full strength when Edwards/KAT play 38-40mpg. To me, if we can manage Memphis transition, second chance, and FT points and avoid letting mistakes compound especially to close quarters we should be in good shape.

Memphis will have punches. How can we turn 10-0 runs over 2 minutes to 8-4 runs and how can we turn 20-2 runs into 16-8. It all comes down to execution, focus, and emotional control.

[life_saver]

I think G4 was Wolves best offensive performance so far in the series. They did score more points in G1 but I thought Wolves generated much better looks in G4. Most importantly, they were able to generate lot of open 3 point opportunities (especially corner 3's). Need KAT to consistently pass it out soon when he is doubled and those possessions can result in open 3 pt opportunities

[shrink]

Anyone else find it hilarious that for the first time in the series MIN got to the FT line more and MEMs coach and players want to complain about the reffing? KAT is basically in foul trouble every game from jump and Finch hasn't said a word. I know KATs offensive fouls are usually pretty obvious but he also never gets his fair share of FT attempts for how he's defended on the court.

I hope they play Brooks’ and Jennings’ pressers the entire flight back to Memphis. Not a good look especially when like you’re said, this is the first of 4 MN shot more free throws.

He didn’t mention a peep about arrogant reffing in game 1 while Ja shot 20 Fts himself.

Yeah. The two teams have four guys in the top ten in fouling in the regular season (KAT, JJJ, Brooks, McDaniels). Both teams have been committing fouls all season long, with lots of different refs. I think the reffing has been inconsistent, but neither team should be counting up fouls totals after a game, and saying, “See? The refs have it in for us! No way we truly committed all those fouls!”

[life_saver]

Why can't Wolves run more plays like this for KAT? He is usually excellent shooter from that spot of the floor

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[KGdaBom]

At the start of the series I was a pretty firm believer that we were going to win it. Let's put that confidence at 75%. After all that has transpired through 4 games I'm about 60% that the Grizz will win and 40% that the Wolves will win.

[shrink]

I had a great experience last night, that I hope is being repeated throughout Minnesota.

As I got in my car to go home from an event last night, an acquaintance said, “Have a good night.” I said, “Oh I will! I’m going to listen to some podcasts about the Wolves Game 4!” A big smile broke across his face, and we talked excitedly about that game. He was a big Wolves fan himself, and he had lots of stories about taking his kids to games over the last fifteen years, them meeting the players, etc.

The cool thing is that I’ve known this guy for five years, and neither of us ever mentioned our love of the hometown Wolves. Now, the team’s success had me talking about the team, and bonding with another fan. I hope that this is happening everywhere, both in Minnesota and across the world, where we are all uniting as a fanbase, proud of the team we love.

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

Anyone else find it hilarious that for the first time in the series MIN got to the FT line more and MEMs coach and players want to complain about the reffing? KAT is basically in foul trouble every game from jump and Finch hasn't said a word. I know KATs offensive fouls are usually pretty obvious but he also never gets his fair share of FT attempts for how he's defended on the court.

I hope they play Brooks’ and Jennings’ pressers the entire flight back to Memphis. Not a good look especially when like you’re said, this is the first of 4 MN shot more free throws.

He didn’t mention a peep about arrogant reffing in game 1 while Ja shot 20 Fts himself.

Yeah. The two teams have four guys in the top ten in fouling in the regular season (KAT, JJJ, Brooks, McDaniels). Both teams have been committing fouls all season long, with lots of different refs. I think the reffing has been inconsistent, but neither team should be counting up fouls totals after a game, and saying, “See? The refs have it in for us! No way we truly committed all those fouls!”

They’ve already begun to investigate into the Phoenix and Dallas series when they had chances to go up 3-1 but were outshot from the FT line by NoLa and Utah. I don’t know or care what the other 3 games had in store for FT shot disparity, but I’m sure combined it leans heavily towards Mem/PHX and Dal Vs MN/UT and NOLA. Just a hunch.

[KGdaBom]

I hope they play Brooks’ and Jennings’ pressers the entire flight back to Memphis. Not a good look especially when like you’re said, this is the first of 4 MN shot more free throws.

He didn’t mention a peep about arrogant reffing in game 1 while Ja shot 20 Fts himself.

Yeah. The two teams have four guys in the top ten in fouling in the regular season (KAT, JJJ, Brooks, McDaniels). Both teams have been committing fouls all season long, with lots of different refs. I think the reffing has been inconsistent, but neither team should be counting up fouls totals after a game, and saying, “See? The refs have it in for us! No way we truly committed all those fouls!”

They’ve already begun to investigate into the Phoenix and Dallas series when they had chances to go up 3-1 but were outshot from the FT line by NoLa and Utah. I don’t know or care what the other 3 games had in store for FT shot disparity, but I’m sure combined it leans heavily towards Mem/PHX and Dal Vs MN/UT and NOLA. Just a hunch.

A pet peeve of mine is the idea that there shouldn't be a FT disparity. The refs job is to call the fouls and violations. They should never be concerned about those evening out.

[Klomp]

Interesting point brought up by Britt: In 10 seasons advancing to the playoffs, Minnesota has won 2 games only 4 times.

2003-04 (10-8)
2021-22 (2-2)
1997-98 (2-3)
2002-03 (2-4)

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